Locking latch



Get. 6, 1931. KEELER 1,826,472

LOCKING LATCH Filed Oct. 29. 1928 I4 1 47.] 7 Z Z a I I! f z 4 [lb 15 5 m 5 11 Q f 4 IN VENTOR 960/ e .5 //?e er ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 6, 1931 UNITED STATES GEORGE E. KEELER, OF

PATENT OFFICE GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO KEELER BRASS COM- LOCKING LATCH Application filed October 29, 1928. Serial No. 315,736.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved locking latch of the type shown in the application of Keeler and Birdsall, Serial No. 288,589, filed June 27, 1928, in which the handpiece is freed from the spindle when the latch is locked.

A further object is to provide a locking latch of this type in which the handpiece while freed from the spindle isyieldingly held in its normal position.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view partially in longitudinal section on line 11 of Figs. 2 and 3 of a latch embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line 33 of Fig. 1.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated comprises an elongated handpiece 1 having a barrel or sleeve 2 fixed thereto. An ornamental housing 3 covers the portion of this sleeve not covered by the escutcheon 4. The spindle 5 is provided with a'cupped or recessed head 6 rotatable within the inner end of the sleeve.

The sleeve 2 has opposed openings 7 and 8 in its wall in which the bolt 9 is reciprocatingly mounted. This bolt 9 is provided with lugs 10 and 11 engageable with notches 12 and 13 in the head 6 of the spindle. When these bolts are in engagement as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the spindle is secured to the sleeve and through it to the handpiece so that the spindle is rotated with the handpiece.

\ When the bolt is in retracted position, as

shown in Fig. 3, the handpiece is freed from the spindle.

The bolt is actuated from a key-actuated member 14 which is provided with an eccentric pin 15 engaging in a recess 16 in the bolt. The details of this actuating mechanism are not illustrated as they form no part of this invention. The bolt is urged to its normal or spindle engaging position by means of the C-shaped spring 17 which is secured to the end of the bolt at 171 to embrace the sleeve, the arms of the spring being put under spring tension when the bolt is retracted. This arrangement relieves the spring of undue stress when the bolt is in spindle releasing position and provides an effective support for the spring.

To hold the handle in a predetermined normal position when freed from the spindle I provide a stop plate 18 whichis arranged within the escutcheon and provided with lugs 19 engaging the escutcheon to support the plate against rotative movement. This plate is provided with a pair of stops 20 and 21 with which the bolt coacts when the bolt is disengaged from the spindle, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby limiting the rotative movement of the handpiece relative to the escutcheon.

A coiled spring 22 is arranged around the sleeve, one end 23 of which is turned inwardly to engage the sleeve while the other end 24 is turned downwardly and engaged with the stop plate, the spring acting to hold the bolt yieldingly against the stop 20, in which position the handpiece is in its normal position. However, on an attempt to open the door the handle may be rotated to the extent limited by the stops, and in the event excessive pressure is applied, the stops will give way without affecting the operativeness of the latch.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in one form in which I have embodied the same. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with an escutcheon, of a handpiece provided with a sleeve having opposed openings therein, a spindle rotatably associated with the inner end of said sleeve, a bolt reciprocatingly mounted in said openings in said sleeve and adapted when in one position to connect said spindle to said sleeve, a stop plate arranged on the inner s de of said escutcheon and engaged therewith whereby the stop plate is held against rotative movement, said stop plate being provided with a pair of spaced stops, and a coiled spring within said escutcheon to embrace said sleeve, one end of said spring being engaged with said stop plate and the other with said sleeve whereby the spring acts to yieldingly sup-port said sleeve with said bolt against one of said stops, said stops coacting with the bolt to limit the rotative movement of the sleeve when the bolt is released from said spindle.

2. The combination of a handpiece provided with a sleeve having opposed openings therein, a spindle rotatably associated with the inner end of said sleeve, a bolt recipro-' catingly mounted in said openings in said sleeve and adapted when in one position to connect said spindle to said sleeve, a stop plate provided with a pair of spaced stops, and a coiled spring arranged to embrace said sleeve, one end of said spring being engaged with said stop plate and the other With said sleeve whereby the spring acts to yieldingly hold said sleeve with said bolt against one of said stops, said stops coacting with the bolt to limit the rotative movement of the sleeve when the bolt is released from said spindle.

3. The combination with a handpiece provided'with a shank, a spindle rotatively associated with the inner end of said shank, a bolt reciprocatingly mounted in said shank and adapted when in one position to engage said spindle and when in spindle releasing position to project from said shank, a pair of ,stops positioned to coact with said bolt to Jin1it the rotative movement of said handpiece when the bolt is in spindle releasing position, and a coiled spring acting to hold said bolt yieldingly against one of said stops with the handpiece in its normal position.

4. The combination with a handpiece, a spindle rotatively associated with said handpiece, a bolt carried by said handpiece to rotate therewith and adjustable to engage or release said spindle, spaced stopswith which said bolt coacts when it is in spindle releasing position to limit the rotative movement of the handpiece, hold said bolt yieldingly against one of said sto s.

5 The combination with a handpiece, a

spindle rotatably associated with said handpiece, a bolt rotatable with said handpiece and adjustable to engage or release said spindle, stops with which said bolt coacts when it is in spindle releasing position to limit the rotative movement of the handpiece, and a spring acting to hold said bolt yieldingly against one of said stops.

6. A control handle for latches and the like having, in combination with a rotatable and a spring acting to 7 spindle, a casing having a radial opening, a head within said casing rigid with said spindle and having a notch adapted to register with said opening, a slide reciprocable transversely of said opening and said notch and a head and easing against relative rotation and when in another position to free said head, and spring means disposed externally of said casing and acting to urge said slide into said first mentioned position.

7. A control handle for latches and the like having, in combination with a rotatable spindle, a casing having a radial opening, a head within said casing rigid with said spindle and having a notch adapted to register with said opening,

dapted when in one position to lock said a slide reciprocable trans-.

versely of said opening and said notch and spring means disposed externally of said casmg and acting to urge said slide into said casing, andkey controlled means by which said slide may be moved against the action of said spring.

8. A control handle for latches and the like having, in combination with a rotatable spindle, a sleeve, a head rigid with said spindle and journaled in said sleeve, a locking slide reciprocable transversely of said sleeve and having a lug adapted to engage said head whereby to lock the head and sleeve against relative rotation, and key controlled means within said sleeve controlling the actuation of said slide to effect projection ofsaid lug to a point externally of said head whereby to free said head and sleeve for relative rotation.

9. A control handle for latches and the like having, incombination with a rotatable spindle,'a easing into which said spindle extends, movable connecting means operable when in one position to lock said spindle and easing together for conjoint rotational movement and when in another position to permit of relative rotation between said casing and spindle, and spring means disposed externally of said casing and tending to urge said connecting means toward-one of said positions.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 

